College Football Bowl Predictions: Temple to cover spread vs. FIU? 12/21/17
Will Temple cover the spread tonight against Florida International? The Owls and Golden Panthers meet in the Bad Boy Mowers Gasparilla Bowl at 8:00 p.m. ET.
The Odds: Temple vs. Florida International, 8:00 p.m. ET, Thursday
According to oddsmakers, the Owls are 7-point favorites to beat the Golden Panthers. Temple opened as a 7.5-point favorite but the line dropped to the key number of a 7. As for the total, the number hit the board at 58 but was bet down to 57.5.
The Owls enter play with a 6-6 record overall, while the Golden Panthers are 8-4. From a betting standpoint, Temple is also 6-6 against the spread while FIU has that same 6-6 ATS record.
Temple Owls Injury Report
Wide receiver Ventell Bryant is questionable to play tonight with a leg injury. Quarterback Logan Marchi is also questionable with a lower body ailment. Austin Jones, meanwhile, has been out since early October and linebacker Chapelle Russell is out for the season after suffering a knee injury in November.
Florida International Injury Report
The only regular that is doubtful to play for the Golden Panthers is receiver Thomas Owens, who has a knee injury. Running back Anthony Jones is out with a knee injury and guard Neal Mars has an undisclosed injury and won’t play.
Our Prediction
The Owls have covered the point spread in four of their last five games overall. They’re also 9-3 against the number in their last 12 games versus an opponent with a winning record. For one reason or another, Temple has covered the spread in 14 of its last 17 games played on fieldturf as well.
On the other side, the Golden Panthers are 0-4-1 at the betting window in their last five neutral site games. They’re also just 2-7 against the spread in their last nine non-conference games.
Bad Boy Mowers Gasparilla Bowl Prediction: Temple Owls -7
